4 affordable ways to a beautiful guest room

Get your home guest ready for the silly season with these simple steps
- by
Diana Moore

31 Oct
2017

Denise Braki for Temple & Webster

Whether you wish to increase your Airbnb ratings or impress your in-laws when they visit, a beautiful guest bedroom is a must to make your guests’ stay a joyful experience.

Often the most neglected of all rooms, the spare room is one of the simpler spaces to style and whether you’re hosting family or strangers, it pays to put in a little extra effort to show them you care. The Temple & Webster style team have put together a step by step guide for decorating your spare bedroom to ensure a relaxing stay for your guests.

Denise Braki for Temple & Webster

1. Beautiful basics

It’s the simple things that make a difference. Begin with basics by making sure the bed is made with gorgeous matching linen, freshly laundered for each new guest of course. Rather than replacing an outdated bed, invest in a soft mattress protector to create a plush feel and to guarantee a great night’s sleep for your guest. Complete the bed with fluffy, comfy pillows in carefully selected colours. Opt for a colour scheme that is on-trend, yet satisfies a variety of personalities. Neutral colours with accents in calming colours like blue, grey, or olive will create a classic and restful room for guests.

Denise Braki for Temple & Webster

2. Guestroom essentials

To make your guests feel at home, double check that you have stocked up on all necessities. A functioning bedside lamp for the night owl who wishes to wind down with a book in the evening is a must. Invest in coathangers in matching colours for the wardrobe to create an elegant, even look. A clothes rail is a simple solution if your spare room isn’t equipped with a wardrobe. Make sure to steer away from plastic and invest in materials that look stylish, like dark wood or black metal. If your space allows it, a bench or a stylish ottoman not only brings character to the room, but is useful as a luggage rest. Before your guests arrives place a selection of fresh towels in the room in luxurious, thick fabrics, preferably in crisp white. This is not the time for second best!

Denise Braki for Temple & Webster

3. Luxurious touches

To create the feeling of a luxe retreat, it’s important not to forget the decorative touches. Add extra layers to the bed with a soft, cosy rug or an accent pillow. Pop a vase of fresh flowers on the bedside table for a pretty touch. A couple of candles or fragrance diffusers also lend that hotel-at-home feeling. Place a small tray for earrings and coins, a glass for water, finished with a beautiful carafe and perhaps a selection of books and magazines on the bedside table. If your spare room has an ensuite, a selection of often-forgotten bathroom products like shampoo, soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste is a thoughtful addition. It’s finishing touches like these that make your guests feel at home.

Denise Braki for Temple & Webster

4. Practical details

Now it’s time to consider the practical details. Corral a spare phone charger and a power adapter in a small box or basket, along with spare keys and details of your home wifi password. Choose storage in natural materials like wood or rattan to soften your guest room and loose the sterile feeling hotel rooms tend to evoke. If your guests are visiting from overseas, a local guide book, sunscreen, and perhaps some snacks for the jet lag hours won’t go unnoticed. Consider placing wrapped chocolate in a beautiful, ceramic bowl to truly spoil your guests. Your spare bedroom should be a perfect balance between a hotel suite and a personal, relaxing extension of your home - so paying attention to the finer details will create a stay your guests will never forget.

Diana MooreContent expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.